SME DCC: A sustainable process for porous graphene

Purpose and goal: The project was a SME-effort within the frames of Digital Cellulose Center (DCC).

The overall project objective was achieved. A process to fabricate a porous and electrically conductive material from lignin and graphene using a reusable foaming agent was set up and validated.

In addition to the main result, several positive effects of combining lignin and graphene were noted, with relevance and potential for application in several other areas.

One step in the process has been used as a stand-alone process to create other segregated graphene composite structures. Expected results and effects:

The project´s main results are good enough to justify continued work in the area. In order to be able to develop the concept to a slightly higher TRL, additional projects, together with relevant partners in the value chain, are deemed necessary. Therefore the effect of the project is that it serves as a basis and motivation for future projects.

Approach and implementation:

The project began with a literature study, through which the various process steps and suitable process parameters were identified. Materials were then produced in a series of trials, where recipe, temperature and time were varied individually. The materials´ conductivity, porosity and strength were analyzed and the results informed the next iteration of trials. Finally, an analysis was made of the performance and efficiency of the process for the iteration with the best results.